Lions run offense vs. 49ers run defense

For all the upgrades they supposedly made to the running game this offseason, the Lions still struggled to run the ball in their opener against the Jets. LeGarrette Blount had a disappointing debut with minus-3 yards on four carries before leaving with a shoulder injury. He doesn’t gain many yards after contact, and it didn’t help that center Graham Glasgow was overpowered by Steve McLendon at the line of scrimmage.

The 49ers play a traditional four-man front, so Glasgow won’t have a space-eater like McLendon camped over top of him Sunday. But San Francisco does have a talented line led by Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner and Solomon Thomas, and rookie Fred Warner played well in his first game at middle linebacker as the 49ers held the Vikings’ duo of Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray to just 3 yards per carry.

Lions pass offense vs. 49ers pass defense

Matthew Stafford is coming off one of his worst games as a pro. Stafford threw four interceptions last week and listened to Jets players after the game say he and the Lions were too predictable with their play calls. He’s bound to be better on Sunday.

The 49ers are better in the secondary than they were last year, when they couldn’t cover anyone deep, but free safety Adrian Colbert is questionable after he missed two days of practice with a hamstring injury. Buckner is one of the best interior rushers in the NFL. Rookie Frank Ragnow will have his hands full at left guard, and the Lions will start backup Kenny Wiggins at right guard in place of the injured T.J. Lang.

49ers run offense vs. Lions run defense

The 49ers have patched together a running game after losing top free-agent addition, running back Jerick McKinnon, to a torn ACL in the preseason. Matt Breida and Alfred Morris split backfield reps last week, combining for 84 yards on 23 carries. Breida is the more versatile of the two, but Morris ran for nearly 2,900 yards in coach Kyle Shanahan’s system when the two were in Washington together in 2012-13.

Lions safety Glover Quin.

Lions safety Glover Quin.

Gregory Shamus, Getty Images

The 49ers run a similar outside zone scheme to the one the Jets torched the Lions with last week, but they don't have as good an offensive line. Right guard Mike Person is questionable for Sunday, so undrafted rookie Najee Toran could start in his place alongside fellow rookie Mike McGlinchey at right tackle.

The Lions have given up too many long runs dating back to the preseason and must be better about their gap responsibilities. Middle linebacker Jarrad Davis had a quiet debut with just four tackles, and the Lions need more out of Sylvester Williams and the line after allowing 169 yards on the ground to the Jets.

Edge: 49ers

Jimmy Garoppolo.

Jimmy Garoppolo.

Nhat V. Meyer, TNS

49ers pass offense vs. Lions pass defense

Jimmy Garoppolo excelled in his five starts for the 49ers last year, but he had a rough go of it in Week 1 as he threw three interceptions and completed just 15 of 31 passes against a good Minnesota defense. The Lions don’t present nearly as tough a challenge on Sunday, though Garoppolo will be without two of his top weapons in McKinnon and speedy wide receiver Marquise Goodwin.

The 49ers use plenty of bootleg passes to take advantage of Garoppolo’s athleticism, and last week they hit three big passes of 35-plus yards to three different receivers and had a fourth dropped. Tight end George Kittle (five catches, 90 yards) appears to be Garoppolo’s top target, with rookie Dante Pettis a downfield threat.

Ziggy Ansah did not practice this week because of a shoulder injury and is a game-time decision for Sunday. If he can’t go, the Lions’ already anemic pass rush becomes even more feeble. Fortunately, the Lions have a lock-down cornerback in Darius Slay. Unfortunately, they have a history of struggles covering tight ends.

Edge: 49ers

Lions returner Jamal Agnew.

Lions returner Jamal Agnew.

Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Special teams

As bad as the Lions were on offense and defense last week, they might have been worse in the kicking game. The Lions gave up one punt-return touchdown and two other big returns against the Jets, and kicker Matt Prater missed two field goals. That performance was probably an aberration, as the Lions have two good specialists in Prater and punter Sam Martin. To be safe, though, they fired gunner Bradley Marquez on Tuesday.

Robbie Gould made all three of his field goals for the 49ers last week, but he doesn’t have Prater’s range. Bradley Pinion tied for 10th in the NFL in net punting last year, and the 49ers have two explosive return men in Pettis (punts) and fellow rookie D.J. Reid. Neither, however, is as electric as Jamal Agnew.

Edge: Lions

Matt Patricia looks at the replay on the scoreboard during the second half against the Jets.

Matt Patricia looks at the replay on the scoreboard during the second half against the Jets.

Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press

Overall

As bad as the Lions were on the field in their opener, the past few days have been worse as they’ve had to answer questions about the state of the locker room and their belief in Matt Patricia as head coach. Last week’s effort was an abomination, and if the Lions don’t play better this week it’s going to be a lost year. I think they will – they almost have to – but I’m not sure that’ll be enough for a win. The 49ers are a decent team with a good defensive front, and Shanahan’s acumen as a play caller can help make up for the lack of weapons on offense. Throw in the fact that it’s the 49ers’ home opener and the Lions are traveling across country on a short week and all signs point to another Lions loss.